A Tasca/Taberna is a destination-worthy Portuguese restaurant with generous, well-regarded food and genuinely welcoming service, though the Lincoln Road setting, occasional slow service, temperature issues and a small number of sharp complaints warrant realistic expectations.
A Tasca delivers solid food quality anchored by fresh seafood, generous portions, and authentic Portuguese execution, paired with genuinely warm and attentive service that keeps diners engaged. The modest ambiance, while welcoming and culturally authentic, lacks the visual polish or distinctive character that would elevate the experience further, keeping it just short of the very top tier.
A Tasca/Taberna is the sort of place whose modest Lincoln Road frontage undersells what happens inside. Reviewers describe a warm, lively Portuguese room where waiters make guests feel at home, while one traveler summed up the contrast neatly: the neighborhood may be rough around the edges, but “inside it’s a whole different world.” It is not uniformly polished—some diners found the room cold or kitschy—but the welcome is usually a major part of the appeal. The cooking is traditional Portuguese rather than experimental: seafood, grilled meats, cod, octopus, prawns, francesinha and generous shared dishes form the backbone. The menu supports the reviews, with several cod preparations, whole grilled fish, Polvo à Lagareiro and two-person seafood options. This is a strong choice for diners who want hearty portions and recognizable regional food, particularly if they are willing to travel for authenticity; service can occasionally slow down, and one reviewer found the cooking merely ordinary. Families are well catered for in practical terms. The current menu has nuggets, fish fingers, spaghetti Bolognese, a hamburger, sausages with egg and fries, and a child-sized steak, while reviews describe a family-oriented atmosphere and a thoughtful interaction with a child during a takeaway visit. Picky eaters should have an easy landing, while adventurous adults can explore the seafood and traditional Portuguese dishes.
Area vibe: Busy provincial city centre with shopping streets, civic buildings and transport connections.
Safety: Generally safe in daytime; quiet evenings with moderate footfall so exercise usual city caution after dark.
What's nearby: Close to Peterborough Cathedral, Queensgate shopping, bus/rail station and riverside leisure spots.
The strongest orders lean toward Portuguese seafood and hearty classics, including octopus, cod, clams, and francesinha.
Expect a welcoming Portuguese meal, but plan around variable service, limited parking, mixed interior comfort, and potentially higher costs for seafood or sharing dishes.
A Tasca/ Taberna feels more like a lively, hospitable neighborhood gathering place than a polished destination restaurant, with a few comfort caveats.